But scientists - including Richard Dawkins, Steve Jones and Alice Roberts - warned the changes could increase the possibility of teaching creationism as science.

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Anthropologist and science broadcaster Alice Roberts, who studied at Cardiff University, has signed the letter

"The new science and technology area of learning and experience doesn't explicitly prohibit presenting creationism and other pseudoscientific theories as evidence-based and evolution is only mentioned once (and only at secondary level at that)," the letter said.

"Pupils should be introduced to it early - certainly at primary level - as it underpins so much else.

"What's more, without an explicit ban on teaching creationism, intelligent design and other pseudoscientific theories as evidence-based, such teaching may begin to creep into the school curriculum, when it is vital children in Wales are not exposed to pseudoscientific doctrines masquerading as science".

Wales Humanists coordinator Kathy Riddick said she was not aware of "blatant teaching of creationism" within Welsh schools.

But she said the approach in the draft curriculum "could make it much easier for a school, such as a religious school, to openly teach creationism as science".

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "It is wholly incorrect to claim that evolution will only be introduced at 14 -16.

"We believe that providing children with an understanding of evolution at an early age will help lay foundations for a better understanding of wider scientific concepts later on."